Ammo that is ok for steel targets?

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Mr.Nelson

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Hi, I was wondering what ammo is ok to shoot at steel targets and what type is not. including jacket type. Name of some brands/type that work would be much appreciated. Steel at 100 yards or more. Thank you!
 
Do not use steel core.

You will have to test out standard rounds.

The best thing to use is frangible ammo.
But any soft lead should work just fine.
 
At 100 yards or more, most ammo is fine depending on the steel in your target. Assume it is AR500, I have shot 5.56, including pmc green tip, mfs 7.62x54r, mfs 7.62x39, many .308 bullets including Sierra, Berger, Hornady SST and AMAX, and never had an issue. The 5.56/.223, can leave a very small indent in AR500 at 100 yards. Always wear eye protection, and slant your target and you should be fine.
 
I also noticed it was somewhat hard to find 5.56/.223 that wasn't FMJ online or I might just not be looking in the proper places. Was looking to put in a somewhat bulk order on something I could use on paper and steel hence why I wanted to be sure what is a good multi purpose ammo. Thanks for the replies!
 
Mr.Nelson said:
Hi, I was wondering what ammo is ok to shoot at steel targets and what type is not. including jacket type. Name of some brands/type that work would be much appreciated. Steel at 100 yards or more. Thank you!
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Velocity kills steel more than anything else. Anything less than AR500 is not going to stand up to much abuse from steel core milsurp ammo, especially from the small caliber, high velocity cartridges like 223/5.56. Extend the range, properly angle the target, and you will get much better life from your reactive steel.
 
I've got 3/4" AR500 gongs at my camp we have been shooting at for years with everything from .22lr to 300 WSM.
We havent shot any steel core ammo but pretty much everything else.

The rounds that have done the most damage are .223 and .22-250. They leave tiny pock marks but nothing too damaging. 300 WSM chip the orange paint and that's it.

I can't even estimate the thousands of rounds that have hit those targets and they're still holding strong. We've had to fix the chains on them several times though :D
 
Like others have said, if the targets are hung with the freedom to swing, angled properly, and at adequate distance, no commercially available ammunition is unsafe.

Might dig up your steel, but you'll be fine...
 
Butcherbill said:
AR500, 3/8" thickness if I recall correctly. I can measure next time I'm out in the garage if you like, they have taken primarily x39 & x54r steel core and held up fine.
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Yes, please do. I am particularly interested in how milsurp or steel core ammo (in the cartridges you mention) affects 3/8 inch AR500. At what distance are you shooting it?
 
I shoot my AR500 at 80 & 100 yrds, they've seen 500+ steel core rounds from sks, mosin & svt between my wife and myself. Holding up good enough for me, minor dimples but no craters. The old mounting ears broke off after a few hundred hits and I had to get a buddy to drill new holes. My X39 at the moment is Romanian, I've shot Bulgarian, Czech, new Norinco and MFS x54r at it.



 
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